Display case



1942- E. J. KLAS$EN DISPLAY CASE Filed July 29, 1940 .5 Sheets-Sheet 1 In 0612 Z01: I Edward J: Jflaas'en.

Oct 13, 1942. KLASSEN 2,298,796

DISPLAY CASE lrz verziar. ldwardJC-Jflassen fliiariz gs.

Patented Oct. 13, 1942 DISPLAY cAsE Edward J. Klassen, Los Angeles, Calif., assllnor to The Klasscn Com Pany, Los Angeles, Calif.,

a corporation of California Application July 29, 1940, Serial No. 348,160

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to display cases, particularly open frontdisplay cases for perishable food such as candies and the like, and

to refrigeration provisions in connection with display case construction. Certain features of invention are disclosed in the manner in which the refrigeration features are incorporated in the display case construction, though in broader aspects the invention is not limited to such refrigeration features. The invention also contemplates the use in the display case of certain electrical illuminating devices, and, in certain aspects, invention is presented in the manner in which the electrical illuminating features are incorporated in the display case construction.

A general object of the invention may be stated to be to provide a refrigerated and illuminated open display case for such perishable articles as chocolate candy bars and the like, which is exceptionally attractive in appearance, presents the articles on display in a manner to enhance sales appeal, preserves the articles against spoilage, is of sufficient capacity that it i may be stocked with a relatively large quantity of articles without crowding, and yet which is:

comparatively compact in size.

The display case of the present invention com-5 mentioned, will be best described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a display case in accordance with the present invention, the swinging cases and central case being in open or display position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse medial section taken through the cabinet of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal. section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Fig, 2; v

Fig. 5 is a. horizontal section taken on line 55 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view taken through the cabinet in accordance with broken line 6-6 of Fig. 4, the section through the swinging case, however, being taken in accordance with line tic-6a. of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of portions of Fig. 6; 4

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is an enlargement of a portion of Fig. 2, showing a locking device;

Fig. 10 is a rear view of the locking device of Fig. 9, Fig. 9 being a section in accordance with line 9-9 of Fig. 10;

Fig, 11 is a detail section taken on line |I--ll of Fig. 9;

net, and adapted to be swung outwardly to display position, or inwardly to a closed position inside the main cabinet structure, together with a central case, mounted centrally within the cabinet, and adapted, after the swinging cases are moved outwardly to display position, to be moved in a forward direction to an accessible display position. These cases are all of open front construction, so that when moved to display position, the articles are presented in a position for convenient selection and removal by the customer. An air refrigerating system ismounted in the bottom of the cabinet, and supplies refrigerated air to both the swinging cases and the central case. This refrigerated air is constantly supplied to the swinging cases at their pivots, regardless of their position, and is supplied to the central case via apertures that come into register when the central case is pulled forwardly to display position. i

A feature of the invention is the provision of conveniently operable locking means for eiiectively looking all the cases in closed position.

The invention itself, including various specific objects and accomplishments not preliminarily Fig. 13:.is a perspective of another shelf bracket;

Fig. 14 is a detail section taken on line I l-ll of Fig. 4;

Fig. 15 is a section taken on line l5--l5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail of a portion of Fig. 2, but taken through one of the mirror disks;

Fig-18 is an elevation of a mirror disk;

Fig. 19 is an enlarged detail taken from Fig, 2;

Fig. 20 is an enlarged detail taken from Fig. 4;

Fig. 21 is a section taken on line 2l-2l of Fig. 5, showing a. bolt for looking a swinging case in closed position;

Fig. 22 is a section similar to Fig. 21, but showing the central case in advanced or display position, and the same bolt used to hold said case in said position and Fig. 23 shows, somewhat diagrammatically, a

plan view of two swinging cases, illustrating how Fig. 16 is a section taken on line l.6l6 of I Fig. 1 of the drawings shows the display case of the present invention to comprise, generally, a substantially rectangular main cabinet IS, on the top of which, in the present illustrative embodiment, is preferably mounted a top structure l1 providing a multiplicity of small compartrnents l8 designed to be stocked with such articles as gum, mints, and the like. The ends of the cabinet l supportswinging cases 20, adapted to be swung to a closed position such as indicated in Fig. 3, or outwardly to a display position such for instance as illustrated in Fig. 1. When the two swinging cases 2|) are swung outwardly to such a position as is illustrated in Fig. 1, a central case 2| is exposed, which is adapted at such time to be pulled outwardly to and set in the display position illustrated in Fig. 1. This central display case 2| is moved rearwardly from its position of Figs. 1 and 2 to such a position as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2 before closing of the swinging cases 20.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cabinet is supported by a base comprising front and rear walls 24 and 25, respectively, and end walls 26. Mounted on the base is a horizontally disposed framework 21 (Figs. 2 and 6) from which rise front and end walls 28 and 29, respectively, defining the upper portion of a compartment 3|). Front wall 28 of compartment 3|) has ventilator doors 3| while the rearward side of compartment 30 is closed by sliding doors 32, arranged as indicated in Figs. 2 and 5, and provided with grilles 33 for dissipation of heat generated by the refrigeration unit.

Compartment 30 is closed at the top by a platform 35, mounted on front and end walls 28 and 29 for example in the manner indicated at 36 inFig. 6.

An air refrigerating and blower combination 40 is mounted within compartment 30, being received within an opening 21a formed in framework 21 (see Fig. 6), and being hung from the latter by means of springs 4|. This refrigeration and blower unit or combination 4!) need not be illustrated or described in detail, being understood to embody any suitable or conventional type of refrigeration unit for refrigerating air, and also a motor driven blower unit for circulating the refrigerated air. The refrigerated air outlet 40a of this unit 40 is coupled by means of a flexible coupling 42 (see Figs. 2 and 6) to a distributing conduit 43 secured in any suitable manner to the underside of platform 35 and leading to certain points of distribution as later to be described. The spring suspension of the refrigerator unit insulates the cabinet from the vibrations occasioned by operation of the compressor which will be understood as forming a part of the refrigerator unit.

Rising from platform 35 at each end of the cabinet, flush with the aforementioned end walls 29, are end wall members 50, the latter extending from the rearward corners of the cabinet to points about a quarter of the distance or less toward the front of the cabinet, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4. Arranged edge to edge and prefer-- ably at approximately 45 with end members 53 are vertical panels 5|, and meeting the forward edges of said panels 5| are vertical Wall members 52, which meet vertical, parallel partitions 53 extending inwardly or rearwardly from members 52, all as indicated in Fig. 4. At the rear of the cabinet are vertical panels 54 meeting the rearward edges of sides 50, also as indicated in Fig. 4. These members to 54 all bottom on cated at 62.

platform 35.

Flush with and mounted on top of each of end wall members 5|) is a forwardly extending end strip 60, that merges at the front with a halfround or semi-circular front strip portion 60a, the latter meeting a central front strip 6|, set back of the forward plane of the cabinet as defined by front section 28, all as will be clear from Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 6. Members 60, 60a and 6| are here shown as edged by moldings as indi- A horizontal platform or frame structure 64 at each end of the case is supported by the upper edges of members 5|, 52, 53, and 54, and fits inside members 6|), 60a at the lower margin thereof, for instance as indicated in Figs. 3 and 6. It will be evident that the portion of this platform forwardly and outwardly of the angular panel 5| presents a downwardly facing surface in opposition to the upwardly facing surface of the aforementioned platform 35, and the aforementioned swinging cases 20 are received and trunnioned in the recess formed between these surfaces, in a manner later to be more fully described.

Mounted on members 60, 60a are top members I0, and between members 16, on a platform 1| (see Fig. 2) slightly lower than the latter, is the top structure ll containing the compartments l8. The top members H1 and the platform 1| may be furnished with any suitable bracing or supporting means, of the general nature indicated in Fig. 2.

The central case 2| is received in the space defined at the ends by the two parallel vertical walls 53 (Fig. 4), and at the bottom and top by platform 35 and the molding 62 at the lower edge of front strip 6|. This case comprises a bottom 15, a back '16, preferably faced with a mirror 11 (Fig. 2), and ends 18 adapted to be received with working clearance between cabinet walls 53 (Fig. 4). Bottom 15 is equipped with rollers 19, riding on tracks mounted on platform 35, so that the central case may be easily rolled between the full and dotted line positions illustrated in Fig. 2. As illustrated in Fig. 16, the tracks 80 are sunk within a groove 35a of platform 35, so that the upper edge of the track is just about flush with the upper plane of the platform. A rubber bumper 80a secured to the underside of case 2| and received in this same groove (Figs. 15 and 16) strikes end shoulders 80b and 800 to limit the forward and rearward movement of the case. Spaced a short distance inwardly of end walls 18 are vertical partitions 8|, forming compartments 8|a (Figs. 2, 4 and 20) and the forward edges of end walls 18 and of partitions 8| are preferably sloped rearwardly at somewhat of an angle, for instance, as indicated in Fig. 2. Strips 8|b close compartments 8|a at the top and front of the case (Fig. 4).

Each of partitions 8| is formed with an opening 82, in which is received a flanged, sheet metal receptacle 83 for an illuminant, such as the gaseous discharge tube indicated at 84. Thi tube as here illustrated is bent substantially into a hair-pin shape, and its two ends are furnished with suitable connectors 85 supported by and extending downwardly through the shelf 85 provided at the bottom of receptacl 83.

In the present embodiment of the invention, case 2| is furnished with two inclined, plate-glass shelves 90, each comprising a glass bottom plate 9|, a glass forward strip 92, and glass end strips 93. These are mounted on partitions 8| by means of the special bracket 34 and 35, shown in detail in Figs. 12 and 13, respectively.

The bracket 34 is provided with a channel 36 for reception of the edge of bottom plate 3|, and the edge strip 83 is confined in back of the flange 81 and rests on top of the portion 38 of channel 86 as appears in Fig. 12. The bracket 95 is provided with a channel I for th edge of bottom plate 8|, a channel IOI for front strip 92, and the edge strip rests on flange'I02 and is confined in back of flange I 03, as will be readily understood from an inspection of Fig. 13.

Below the shelves is a deck comprising a forward sloping section 0 and a rearward horizontal section II I, the deck enclosing a space I I2 above bottom 15 for the accommodation of certain members later to be mentioned. A vertical glass strip H3 is mounted at the forward edge of sloping deck section H0, and it will be understood that this deck, as well as the shelves 90, are intended to be stocked with the articles to be merchandised.

When the case H is in its normal outward or display position (Fig. 1), its lower portion projects somewhat beyond the front plane of the cabinet, as illustrated, so that the shelves 90 are presented in an advanced position, with the articles stocked thereon in position for convenient inspection and removal by the customer.

Each of the swinging cases 20 comprises a bottom wall I20 and a top wall I2I, adapted to be received with working clearance between platforms 35 and 64 (Fig. 6), and a back I22, faced with a mirror I23. Top I is recessed or cut back, as indicated at I24, in order to better expose and display articles contained on the shelves of the case (see Fig. 1), but is of sufficient width to close the cabinet back to strip 6| when the cases are swung to closed position (Fig. 3). The outer or swinging end of the case is closed by an end wall I26, having an offset at I26a, while its rearward end i closed by a semi-circular wall I21, concentric with and of the same diameter as the semi-circular strip 60a of the cabinet. The offset at I26a is formed by the use of a hat strip of wood I28, extending from the outer corner of the case inwardly to or slightly past center, as illustrated in Fig. 4. When the swinging cases are in closed position (Fig. 23), the two end strips I28 are in closely abutting position, as shown. The dimension from the trunnion axis A to the inside corner I26c of the case is made to be approximately the same as the dimension from the trunnion axis to the outer surface of strip I28, which assures that the notched inner corner portion of the one case will clear the other case as it is swung Open or closed, as will be clearly understood from an inspection of the full and dotted line positions of Fig. 23. y

A vertical partition I30 is spaced just inside end wall I26, and extends from the top tothe bottom of the case. A similar vertical partition I3I is spaced just forwardly of the center of semicircular end I21 (see Fig. 4), providing a compartment I3Ia at the trunnioned end of the case through which refrigerated air is passed, as later to be described. Vertical strip I32 and I33 at tween the end walls I26 and I21 and the correstrip I34 at the bottom of the I cas and the top I2I.

A steel trunnion tube m extends through the against rotation with reference to case 20. The.

upper end of tube I40 extends upwardly through an opening I42 formed in platform 64, and is rotatively received within a flanged sleeve I43, the flange I44 of which is secured to platform 64 as illustrated. The lower end portion of tube I40 extends downwardly through bottom I20 of case 20 by way of a bore I43 preferably of approximately twice the diameter of tub I40, and projects part way into a bore I41 extending through platform 35 as a continuation of bore I46. Tube I40 is supported at its lower end by an annulus I 50, mounted inside bore I46 and provided with a bore I5I which receives tube I40 with sliding fit. Thi annulus I50 .has an outwardly extending annular flange I52 which engages the underside of bottom wall I20 around bore I46, and is secured to said wall as indicated. A circular plate I54 is mounted in a countersink I55 formed in the upper side of platform 35 around bore I41, and has a central bore I56 which rotatively receives the end portion of tube I40. A gasket ring I51 is placed between flange I52 and ring member I54, being in the present instance received within countersink I55 in the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 7. A gasket ring I50 is also used at the top, fittin between members 64 and I2I, around the flanged sleeve member I. A series of perforations I59 and I60 are formed in member I50 and I54, around tube I 40, in order to allow circulation of refrigerated air, as later to be more fully described.

Thus tube I40, which is non-rotatably embraced by swinging case 20, is rotatably mounted in cabinet members 35 and 64. Inspection of Fig. '7 will reveal that the weight of the case is sustained by the gasketed ring I54, a suitable working clearance being provided between member 35 and the bottom I20 of case 20, as indicated at I65. The gasket I58 at the top assures a suitable working clearance between the top I2I of case 20 and cabinet member 64, as indicated at I66. The gasket ring I51 in the bottom prevents leakage of refrigerated air.

Each of the partitions 'I3I and I32 of swinging case 20 is formed with an opening I10, in which is received a flanged, sheet metal receptacle "I for an illuminant, such as the gaseous discharge tube indicated at I 12. This tube is here illustrated as bent substantially into a hairpin shape, and its two ends are furnished with the front face of the case close the spaces beupwardly directed discharge apertures I90, which register with the bore I41 in platform I35. Refrigerated air leaving unit 40 under blower pressureis acc'drdingly discharged via conduit 43 to this bore I41 extending through platform 35,

and thence rises through perforations I60 in plate passing upwardly through perforations I53 in annulus I50, to be introduced to the compartment I3Ia between semi-circular case end I21 and partition I3I. Refrigerated air also rises through steel trunnion tube I40, and is discharged to compartment I3Ia via an aperture I92 formed in its side. The refrigerated air thus supplied to compartment I3Ia is discharged via perforations I91 in partition I3I, said perforations being so positioned that the refrigerated air comes into contact with the articles stocked on shelves I80 and on deck I8I. Perforations I98 are formed in the wall of receptacle I'll, in close proximity to lighting tube I12, to provide for discharge of refrigerated air in a manner to cool the tubes.

Refrigerated air is conveyed to central case 2| as follows: The branches 43a of refrigerated air distributing conduit 43 each having an upwardly opening aperture 200, in register with which is an aperture 2III in platform 35, said apertures being alined with the space between the end walls I8 and partitions BI of central case 2I. The bottom wall I5 of central case 2| has at each end an aperture 202, located between end wall I8 and partition 8|, which comes into register with aperture 2Ill when case 2I is moved outwardly to display position. This aperture 202 thus opens upwardly into the compartment 8Ia, so that, when case 2| is pulled outwardly to its display position, refrigerated air is delivered from distributing conduit 43 via apertures 200, 20I and 202 to compartment 8Ia.

This refrigerated air is discharged from compartment 8Ia into the interior of case 2I by way of perforations 204 in partitions BI, the perforations being so positioned that the refrigerated air comes into contact with the articles stocked on shelves 90 and on deck IIIl. Perforations 205 are also formed in the walls of receptacles 83,

in close proximity to lighting tubes 84, to provide for discharge of refrigerated air to cool said tubes.

An aperture 206 formed in partition 8| below deck section III (Fig. 14) allows circulation of refrigerated air from compartment 8Ia. into the space II2 below the deck, to provide for cooling of a later described transformer which is installed in said space.

The aforementioned compartments I8 at the top of the cabinet are defined by a glass front strip 2I0, a glass intermediate strip- 2H, and a back wall 2I2, together with a multiplicity of glassstrips 2I3 disposed at right angles to strips 2I0 and' 2H and wall 2I2. End walls 2I5 and an intermediate partition 2I6 extend upwardly from the aforementioned platform II, and a sloping bottom 2I'I is supported above platform II in the manner best shown in Fig. 2. Front strip 2IIl is located immediately to the rear of the aforementioned strip GI definingthe front edge or margin of the cabinet between the top member 10, and the end members 2I5 of the compartment structure are disposed immediately adjacent the inner edges of members III, as clearly appears in Fig. 1. The rearward compartmentdefining wall 2I2 is located substantially forwardly of the rearward side of the cabinet, whereas the end walls 215 extend substantially to the back of the cabinet, joining with a back wall 220 that rises from the rearward edge of platform II. A top 22I mounted on back 220 and on sides 2I5 extends forwardly as far as wall 2I2, and thus covers over a compartment 222 between walls 2I2 and 220. A cash drawer 225 is preferably installed in this compartment 222, its end 226 opening through one of the end walls 2I5, and the body of the drawer being guided between wall H2 and a wall 221 spaced a short distance forwardly of back wall 220, in the arrangement clearly appearing in Figs. 2 and 19.

A roll-top cover 230 is provided for compartment I8, and is movable within guideways 23I at the upper edges of side walls 2I5 between a retracted position, received within compartment 222 (Figs. 2 and 19), so as to expose the compartments I8, and a forward position covering over compartments I8, with its forward edge in line with the forward edge of front strip 2I0 (Fig. 9). This roll top 230 embodies bars or slats 230a, mounted in a usual manner on flexible cloth 232 (see Fig. 9). The cloth is secured to forward bar 230a in any suitable manner, though that clearly illustrated in Fig. 9 is simple and effective.

A locking device, shown best in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, is provided for locking top 230 in the last described position when the cabinet is to be closed. This locking device comprises a strap 24!], having a hook end 24I at the top, adapted to engage over the front element or bar 230a of cover 230, in the manner clearly appearing in Fig. 9. This strap 240 extends downwardly in front of glass strip 2H] and into a notch 242 formed in the rearward side of strip BI, being received within a loop strap 243 secured to strip 6| inside notch 242. A plate 244 has a tongue 245. engaging in an aperture in strap 240, at a point abovestrap 243, and extends downwardly inside strap 243 and is formed at its lower end with an outwardly bent toe 244a. A spacer block 246 is installed between strap 240 and plate 244, as shown best in Fig. 9. Pivotally mounted on straps 243 is an arm or catch 241, having a finger piece 248, the lower end of this arm or catch 24'! being adapted to engage toe 245 of plate 244 when strap 240 is in locking position, as illustrated in Fig. 9. Strap 240 is thus secured against elevation, and roll top 230 is locked in closed position. To unlock roll top 230, arm 24'! is moved from the full line to the dotted line position of Fig. 10, thus enabling strap 240 and plate 244 to be elevated to the upper dotted line position. At this time roll top 230 may be moved from the position indicated in Fig. 9 to that illustrated in Fig. 2. Strap 240 is then lowered to the extreme lower dotted line position, where it is out of the way and appears simply as a part of the ornamental trim of the cabinet.

It will be noted that the arm or catch 24! can be reached only by way of the interior of central cabinet 2|. Accordingly, when the cases 2I and 20 are in closed position, and the cases 28 are locked closed, as hereafter to be described. it is impossible to manipulate the locking device for cover 230.

Suitable locking means for the two swinging cases 20 is shown in Fig. 21. A vertical bolt 248 mounted in a sleeve 249 in platform 35 is adapted to engage a hole 248a in the bottom wall I20 of case 20. The sleeve 249 is shown in Fig. 21 as having an integral flange 248D screwed to a mounting block 2480 secured to the underside of platform 35. Bolt 24B is formed with a lower rack gear pinion 248d, which is engaged by a pinion 248a adapted to be turned by knob 248). It will be obvious that rotation of knob 2481 elevates or lowers bolt 248 into and from a position of locking engagement with the bottom wall I20 of case 20. The knob 248i is in a position where it can be conveniently reached through one of the lower doors 3|. Thus, to lock the entire case, the roll top cover for the compartments I8 is first locked in position as described above. Then, the central case 90 is moved rearwardly to closed position, and the swinging cases 20 then swung inwardly to closed position. The two locking bolts 248 for the two swinging cases are then elevated into locking engagement with the bottoms of the cases 20, after which the doors 3| are closed and looked as by means of any suitable or conventional type of lock indicated at 3Ia. Fig. 22 shows how the locking bolt 248 may be utilized to lock the central case 2| in advanced position, the bottom member 15 ofthe latter being provided with a hole 15a adapted to receive bolt 248 when in advanced position.

Strip is preferably provided with a plurality of horizontally spaced bores 250, in which are mounted glass disks 25| with mirrored rear surfaces. Delineated on these mirror disks 25|are letters such as that illustrated in Fig. 18, within the outlines of which the silvering of the mirror is removed. For example, the letters on these disks may spell out such a word as refrigerated. To the rear of strip GI and disks 251 is a luminous tube 260, which may be a long gaseous electron discharge tube of conventional type, and in back of and above tube 200 are reflectors 26| and 252, as best illustrated in Fig. 2. The light from this illuminating tube 260 is visible through the transparent letters depicted on mirror disks 25L Preferably, a display light or sign 210 is mounted on top wall 22L This light is here indicated as comprising a casing 212, having a glass plate 213 at the front, on which, if desired,

may be any suitable sign device. Within casing 212 and in back of glass plate'213 is a lamp 214.

The various electrical components described hereinabove may be served with electrical current through any circuit arrangements desired; however, certain features of novelty and invention are presented in the particular manner in which electrical current is conveyed to various parts of the cabinet, and a description of these features will accordingly be given.

The inlet box is indicated at 300, against the right hand lower end wall 20. A cable 30| leads to switch box 302, mounted immediately above box 300. From switch box 302 a cable 303 leads to refrigeration and blower unit 40, and another .hand end portion of the cabinet. From box 305,

a cable 306 leads upwardly, just inside the'angle formed by wall members 5| and 52, to a point above frame 04, where it leads into a junction box 301 mounted on the latter. From box 301 one cable 308 extends downwardly inside the open end of pivot tube I40, and thence outside tube by way of aperture I92 to the compartment |3|a of swinging case 20. Cable 300 connects to the primary side of a transformer 3|0 mounted within compartment |3|a on the inner side of receptacle I1| as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The secondary side of transformer 3|0 is connected by means of a cable 3| to the terminals of the lighting tube I12 mounted at the pivoted end of swing- -ing case 20, and by means of a cable 3|2 pass of the cabinet (Fig. 4), and a cable 305' led 3 I4!) and 3I4c through the terminals of the afore-- mentioned gaseous electron discharge tube-260, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3.

A cable 3|5 leading from junction box 305' connects with a receptacle 3H5 mounted on a bracket 3I1 secured to platform 35, this receptacle being received within a central slot 3! extending through and across platform 35 (see Figs. 2, 4 and 5). Mounted on a bracket 320 hung from the bottom 15 of case 2| and received within the slot 3|8 in platform 35 is a plug 32| adapted to plug into receptacle 3I5 when case 2| is moved to its front or display position (Fig. 2). It will be understood that when case 2| is moved to it retracted position (dotted lines in Fig. 2), plug 32| becomes withdrawn from receptacle 3|5, and thus breaks the electrical circuit at that point. The transverse slot 3l3 in platform 35 accommodates the depending plug member 32| in all positions of case 2|. A cable 322 leads from plug 32I to a transformer 323 mounted within compartment 2 of case 2| on case bottom 15 (Fig. 2). The secondary side of this transformer 323 is connected by cables 324 leading through compartment 2 and endcompartments 8|a to the terminals of illuminating tubes 04. Thus the illuminating tubes 84 are automatically connected in circuit by the operation of moving case 2| from the closed, dotted line position of Fig. 2 to the forward, full line position of said figure.

A cable 330 leads from junction box 301 (see Figs. 3 and 2) to a junction box 33I mounted on the underside of platform 1|, and from there electrical connections 332 lead via a conduit 333 in back wall 220 and top 22| to lamp 214.

The cabinet as now described has a number of outstanding advantages. It is attractive in appearance, comparatively compact, and may be attractively stocked with a large quantity of the stock to be merchandised. The swinging cases 20 being swung outwardly to a proper angle and the central case 2| being pulled forwardly to its display position, the articles are presented for inspection by the purchaser in an advantageou and eye-arresting manner, increasing greatly their natural sales appeal. The various described illuminating devices, especially in conjunction with the mirrors back of them, illuminate the interior of the several display cases in 7 an attractive manner, and the articles, while presented in open cases, are under constant refrigeration by discharge over and about them of refrigerated air. The various cases and compartments of the cabinet are adapted to be effectively closed and locked for the night. If conditions warrant, the refrigeration may be continued While the central and swinging cases are locked in closed position. Movement of the central case back to its rearward, closed position of course cuts off its direct supply of refrigerated air; however, refrigerated air is supplied to the swinging cases in all of their positions, and when the swinging cases are swung closed, their open fronts are presented toward the open front of the central case, so that the refrigerated air circulated into the swinging cases finds its way into the central case.

I have now illustrated and described in some detail one illustrative embodiment of my invention; it will of course be understood, however, that various changes in design, structure and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such changes are to be understood as coming within the scope of th claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a pair of opposed, vertically spaced, upper and lower stationary walls, a swinging case received between said walls, said case having top and bottom walls presented at relatively close spacing to said upper and lower walls, a vertical trunnion tube extending through the top and bottom walls of said case and supported within said upper and lower stationary walls, means for supplying refrigerated air to an end of said tube through the corresponding stationary wall, and said tube being perforated between the bottom and top walls of said caseto permit discharge of said refrigerated air into said case.

2. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a pair of opposed, vertically spaced, upper and lower stationary walls, a swinging case received between said walls, said case having top and bottom walls presented at relatively close spacing to said upper and lower walls, a vertical trunnion tube extending through the top and bottom walls of said case andsupported within said upper and lower stationary walls, one of said stationary walls having an inlet perforation for refrigerated air near but outside said tube, and the corresponding wall of the swinging case having a perforation in communication with said first mentioned perforation and leading to the interior of the case, and packing means surrounding said perforations and sealing against leakage of refrigerated air between the corresponding wall of the swinging case and the adjacent stationary wall.

3. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a pair of opposed,

vertically spaced, upper and lower stationary walls, a swinging case received between said walls, said case having top and bottom walls presented at relatively close spacing to said upper and lower walls, tubular trunnion means extending through the top and bottom walls of said case and supported within said upper and lower stationary walls, said tubular trunnion means having an air circulation aperture opening within said swinging case, and a perforation for passage of refrigerated air extending through one of said stationary walls and communicating with the corresponding end of the tubular trunnion means.

4. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a pair of opposed, vertically spaced, upper and lower stationary walls, a swinging case received between said walls, said case having top and bottom walls presented at relatively close spacing to said upper and lower walls, tubular trunnion means extending through the top and] bottom walls of said case and supported within said upper and lower stationary walls, one of said stationary walls having an inlet perforation for refrigerated air near but outside said tubular trunnion means, and the corresponding wall of the swinging case having a perforation in communication with said first mentioned perforation and leading to the interior of the case, and packing means surrouding said perforations and sealing against leakage of refrigerated air between the corresponding wall of the swinging case and the adjacent stationary wall.

5. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a cabinet having an upwardly facing, horizontal platform, supporting means on said cabinet spaced above said platform, a swinging case received between said platform and supporting means, a vertical trunnion tube extending through said case, said tube extending into said platform at the bottom, and projecting upwardly and being embraced by said supporting means at the top, a perforation extending through the bottom of said platform and communicating with the lower end of said tube, a refrigerated air conduit below said platform communicating with said perforation, and a perforation in said tube by way of which refrigerated air is discharged to the interior of said case.

6. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a cabinet having an upwardly facing, horizontal platform, supporting means on said cabinet spaced above said platform, a swinging case received between said platform and supporting means, a vertical trunnion tube extending through said case, said tube extending into said platform at the bottom, and projecting upwardly and being embraced by said supporting means at the top, a perforation extending through said platform, a perforation extending through the bottom of the swinging case, said perforation providing communication between said perforation in said platform and the interior of the swinging case, and packing means surrounding said perforations and preventing leakage of refrigerated air between the platform and the bottom of the swinging case.

'7. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a cabinet having an upwardly facing, horizontal platform, supporting means on said cabinet spaced above said platform, a swinging case received between said platform and supporting means, means pivotally mounting said swinging case between said platform and supporting means, a perforation for passage of refrigerated air extending through said platform near the pivot axis of said case, a perforation in the bottom of the swinging case adapted to receive refrigerated air from the platform perforation, and packing means surround-v ing said perforations and preventing leakage of refrigerated air between the platform and the bottom of the swinging case.

8. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a pair of opposed, vertically spaced, upper and lower stationary walls, a swinging case received' between said walls, said case having top and bottom walls presented at relatively close spacing to said upper and lower walls, a vertical trunnion tube extending through and non-rotatably supported with relation to said top and bottom walls of said case, said tube projecting upwardly into said upper stationary wall and downwardly into said lower stationary wall, bearing means on said stationary walls rotatably supporting said tube, and means for conveying refrigerated air through one of said stationary walls and the adjacent wall of the swinging case around the exterior of said tube.

9. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a pair of opposed, vertically spaced, upper and lower stationary walls, a swinging case received between said walls, said case having top and bottom walls presented at relatively close spacing to said upper and lower walls, a vertical trunnion tube extending through and non-rotatably supported with,

case including bottom, top, end, and back walls,

said case being trunnioned in said cabinet near one of its ends, a vertical partition in said case near its trunnioned end, said-partition forming a compartment at said trunnioned end of said case, means for conveying refrigerated air from said cabinet into said compartment, and said partition being perforated to permit discharge of refrigerated air into the interior of said case.

11. In a cabinet structure. of the character described, the combination of a cabinet, a swinging case including bottom, top, end and back walls, said case being trunnioned in said cabinet near one of its ends, a vertical partition in said case near its trunnioned end, said partition forming a compartment at said trunnioned end of said cabinet, a refrigerated air passageway in the cabinet, an air passageway in said case along the trunnion axis of said case, said air passageway receiving refrigerated air from said air passageway in the cabinet, said air passageway in said case opening inside said compartment, and said partition beingperforated to, permit discharge of refrigerated air into the interior 0: said case.

12. In a cabinet structure, the combination of a cabinet having a recess for a horizontally movablecase, a case horizontally movable in said recess between a rearward closed position and an advanced display position, a refrigerated air passageway in the'lower portion of said cabinet having a discharge aperture and an aperture in the lower portion of said case adapted to register with said discharge aperture when said case is in its forward display position.

13. In a cabinet structure, the combination of a cabinet having a, horizontal platform defining the bottom sideof a horizontal recess, a case.received within said recess and movable therein between a rearward closed position and an advanced displayposition, said case having ends; a bottom, a back, and a perforated ve'rtical partition near one of said ends, a refrigerated air conduit within said cabinet below said platform, an aperture in said platform through which refrigerated air is discharged from said conduit, said aperture being alined with the compartment defined by said partition and the corresponding end of said case, and an aperture in the bottom of said case opening inside said compartment adapted and arranged to register with said platform aperture when said case is in its forward display position. I

14. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet, swinging, open-front display cases trunnioned at the forward corners of said cabinet and adapted to be swung between a closed position, substantially parallel with the front of the cabinet, and with their end portions in opposing relation, and open wing-like display positions, said cabinet structure having a central recess, a central open-front display case mounted in said central recess and movable between an inward closed position permitting said swinging cases to be swung to closed position, and an outer display position, and means for supplying refrigerated air to the interior of said swinging cases in all positions of said swinging cases, the open fronts of said swinging cases and said central case being presented toward one another when said cases are in closed position, whereby refrigerated air from the interior of said swinging cases circulates into the interior of said central case.

15. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet having receses at its two ferward corners, swinging, open-front display cases trunnioned withinsaid recesses and adapted to be swung between closed positions, with their end portions in abutting relation, and open display positions, means for conveying refrigerated air to said swinging display cases along the trunnion axes of said cases, said cabinet structure having a central recess between and substantially vertically alined with said corner recesses, and a central, open-front display case mounted and uided within said central recess and movable between an inward position permitting said swinging cases to be swung to closed position, and an outer display position partially advanced beyond the front side of the cabinet, said swinging case and said central case each presenting a plurality of vertically spaced open shelves.

16. In a cabinet structure of the character described, thecombination of a substantially rectangular cabinet having recesses at its two forward corners, swinging, open-front display cases trunnioned within said recesses and adapted to be swung between closed positions; with their end portions in abutting relation, and open display positions, said cabinet structure having a central recess between and substantially vertically alined with said corner recesses, a central, open-front display case mounted and guided within said central recess and movable between an inward position permitting said swinging cases to be swung to closed position, and an outer display position partially advanced beyond the front side of the cabinet, said swinging case and said central case each presenting a plurality of vertically I spaced open shelves, and means for conveying refrigerated air to said swinging cases from the bottom along the trunnion axes thereof and to said central case through the bottom thereof.

17. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet having a refrigeration unit compartment in the bottom and having recesses at its two forward corners, swinging, open-front display cases trunnioned within said recesses and adapted to be swung between closed positions, with their end portions in abutting relation, and open display positions, said cabinet structure having a central recess between and substantially vertically alined with said corner recesses, a

central, open-front display case mounted and guided within said central recess and movable between an inward position permitting said swinging cases to be swung to closed position, and an outer display position partially advanced beyond the front side of the cabinet, said swinging case and said central case each presenting a plurality of vertically spaced open shelves, a refrigeration unit in said refrigeration unit compartment for producing refrigerated air, means for conducting said refrigerated air from said unit to said swinging cases through the bottoms and along the trunnion axes thereof, and for conducting the refrigerated air to said central case through the bottom thereof.

18. In a cabinet structure of the character described, the combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet, a horizontal platform structure in the lower portion of said cabinet, a front section for the cabinet extending downwardly from said platform, end walls comprising end wall sections extending downwardly from said platform structure, an end wall section rising from said platform structure at each rearward corner of the cabinet but terminating a substantial distance short of the front side of the cabinet, an end strip extending from the upper end portion of said end wall section forwardly to the front side of the cabinet, 9, front strip joining said end strips, a top structure over said end and front strips, 9. central case receivable in said cabinet between said platform structure and said front strip, said case being movable between an inward, closed position and an advanced display position, walls abutting the forward edges of said end wall sections that rise from said platform structure, said last mentioned walls extending inwardly within the cabinet to form the inner walls of recesses at the forward corners of the cabinet, swinging, open-front display cases trunnioned within said recesses, a refrigeration unit for producing refrigerated air located in said structure below said horizontal platform structure, conduit meansfor leading said refrigerated air to positions below the trunnioned ends of said swinging cases and to a position adjacent said central case when the latter is in advanced position, air passages in said swinging cases along the trunnion axes thereof for conveying refrigerated air from said conduit means to the interior of the swinging cases in all positions of the latter, and an aperture in said central case registering with said conduit means when the central case is in advanced position for passing refrigerated air into said central cabinet.

EDWARD J. KLASSEN. 

